[6]-Gingerol is an active compound isolated from Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc), exhibits a variety of biological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidation.
[6]-gingerol inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, while the normal colon cells are unaffected. [6]-gingerol down-regulates phorbol myristate acetate induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK MAP kinases and activation of AP-1 transcription factor, but has only little effects on phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase and activation of NF-kappa B[1]. [6]-gingerol treatment is shown to restore impaired intestinal barrier function and to suppress proinflammatory responses in DSS-treated Caco-2 monolayers. AMPK is activated on [6]-gingerol treatment[2]. Treatment with [6]-gingerol results in a significant decrease in the viability of osteosarcoma cells in a dose-dependent fashion. In parallel, the number of cells arrested at the sub-G1 cell cycle phase is significantly increased. [6]-gingerol induces activation of caspase cascades and regulates cellular levels of Bcl2 and Bax[3].
In animal studies, [6]-gingerol significantly ameliorates DSS-induced colitis by restoration of body weight loss, reduction in intestinal bleeding, and prevention of colon length shortening. In addition, [6]-gingerol suppresses DSS-elevated production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNFα, and IL-12)[2].
References:
[1]. Radhakrishnan EK, et al. [6]-Gingerol induces caspase-dependent apoptosis and prevents PMA-induced proliferation in colon cancer cells by inhibiting MAPK/AP-1 signaling. PLoS One. 2014 Aug 26;9(8):e104401.
[2]. Chang KW, et al. 6-Gingerol modulates proinflammatory responses in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-treated Caco-2 cells and experimental colitis in mice through adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Food Funct. 2015 Oct;6(10):3334-41.
[3]. Fan J, et al. 6-Gingerol inhibits osteosarcoma cell proliferation through apoptosis and AMPK activation. Tumour Biol. 2015 Feb;36(2):1135-41.